Our Protagonist cannot live by eating out alone; no, sometimes he must brave his own kitchen to scrounge up sustenance. That is, when he doesn't have time to whip up something gourmet-ish. Case in point; a recent exploration of the eternal question, "Which pistachio ice cream is really the best?" In order to come to a conclusion, a series of highly scientific tastings ensued involving four different brands, two of which were gelati, rather than ice cream: Ciao Bella and Talenti gelati, and Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's ice creams. Here are the tasting notes:
Ciao Bella: decent flavor, but a gritty, not smooth texture. Disappointing because of the texture.
Haagen-Dazs: very creamy, but the pistachios were chopped up into minuscule chips; the flavor was so subtle to be virtually non-existent! Not what a pistachio lover would be looking for.
Ben & Jerry's (Pistachio Pistachio): good pistachio flavor and creamy; not as creamy as Haagen-Dazs, but at least it tastes like actual pistachio flavor!
Talenti (Sicilian Pistachio): Wonderful texture, and overwhelming (but in a good way) toasted pistachio flavor. THIS is what pistachio ice cream (err, gelato) should be about.
Hands down, the Talenti was the overall winner; Ben & Jerry's the winner of the ice cream subcategory. Sadly, this was yet another disappointing strike in the other over-arching question, "Is Ciao Bella gelato worth the price?" So far, we have yet to find a reason to buy one of their flavors a second time. Let us know which ice creams you want us to taste-test, and we will put them in our rotation; until then, you can tune in to our next installment; "Which orange ice cream/sherbet/sorbetto is the best?"
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Mozaic
Light Veloute of Green Asparagus with Lemon-scented Goat Cheese Crostini
Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli and Grana Padano with Fresh Sage and Sherry Maple Brown Butter
Braised Petite Veal Shank Tagine and Root Vegetables with Spring Peas, Lemon, Oregano, and Garlic
Morel Mushroom dusted Black Angus Rib Eye with Asparagus Risotto, Cipollini and Mustard Sauce
Spicy Merguez Sausage Couscous with Harissa
Strawberry Almond Napoleon a la mode with Tarragon Ice Cream, Amaretto White Chocolate Creme Brulee
Passion fruit Meyer's rum, Monteimar nuts & coconut sorbets, Gianduja Semifreddo and Tarragon Ice Cream
Chocolate Truffles and Biscotti
This modest list doesn't even include the amuse bouche of a lovely yogurt-y custard with a touch of mango sorbet that began the meal, or the individual ciabatta-like breads that came out fresh from the oven that were devoured with the accompanying oil and vinegar. The veloute was deliciously light, with the lemon scent of the goat cheese providing just the right accent. The ravioli-of-the-long-title was remarkable; but that's easily explained by the presence of the sage (etc. etc.) butter. This simply translates as: pure goodness, i.e. Ravioli in Pure Goodness. This dish is also offered as a full entree, and our Protagonist has already altered his Living Will to include it in his Last Meal. The lamb shank and couscous dishes were served in individual tagines, which hides and cradles the delicious flavors inside to come bursting forth upon opening. One dining partner wouldn't deign to share his rib eye, so our Protagonist will take that as meaning it was acceptable, like the rest of the food. The staff was kind enough to make the merguez sausage couscous off of the Wednesday menu even though it was Thursday, and it was heavenly. Err, acceptable. The harissa was delightfully spicy, and the bowl would have been scraped out with a finger if not out in public. Meaning it was pretty good, average, really. I'm trying, I mean, our Protagonist is trying to pace himself here. The dining partners were amused watching every plate of food becoming dismantled as soon as it was set before him. Our Protagonist had wanted to eat here ever since reading the ridiculous dessert choices last winter; the recommendation of the strawberry napoleon surrounded by strawberry soup, AND tarragon ice cream, AND capped by the the white chocolate amaretto creme brulee...the tears well up in our Protagonist's eyes just recalling it, mourning its passing. Which means it was just ok...Oh, forget it, I can't help it! Move over, scribe! The whole meal was [expletive deleted] fantastic! Or Fantastastic like I tried to write just now. Then came the truffles and biscotti, which you bit into and thought, oh, that's nice, and then...oh...wowww...the finish was superb. When have you had biscotti that did that? Be honest, now. The presentation was lovely; the napoleon had to clearly be constructed from just above scratch when ordered, so the long wait for it to appear was easily forgiven. The wines were expertly suggested, and the choices of 3 or 6 oz glasses help you be able to switch between your favorites, or to drink on the cheap if you want. You'll spend your money worthily on the food, believe me. Would it be too soon to make reservations for tomorrow?
[The writer has thankfully been allowed to resume his duties, and apologizes for the preceding outburst. Our Protagonist promises to keep his thoughts more in check and leave the typing to those with more skill. Fantastastic, indeed!]
Mozaic
1377 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-951-6272
Roasted Butternut Squash Ravioli and Grana Padano with Fresh Sage and Sherry Maple Brown Butter
Braised Petite Veal Shank Tagine and Root Vegetables with Spring Peas, Lemon, Oregano, and Garlic
Morel Mushroom dusted Black Angus Rib Eye with Asparagus Risotto, Cipollini and Mustard Sauce
Spicy Merguez Sausage Couscous with Harissa
Strawberry Almond Napoleon a la mode with Tarragon Ice Cream, Amaretto White Chocolate Creme Brulee
Passion fruit Meyer's rum, Monteimar nuts & coconut sorbets, Gianduja Semifreddo and Tarragon Ice Cream
Chocolate Truffles and Biscotti
This modest list doesn't even include the amuse bouche of a lovely yogurt-y custard with a touch of mango sorbet that began the meal, or the individual ciabatta-like breads that came out fresh from the oven that were devoured with the accompanying oil and vinegar. The veloute was deliciously light, with the lemon scent of the goat cheese providing just the right accent. The ravioli-of-the-long-title was remarkable; but that's easily explained by the presence of the sage (etc. etc.) butter. This simply translates as: pure goodness, i.e. Ravioli in Pure Goodness. This dish is also offered as a full entree, and our Protagonist has already altered his Living Will to include it in his Last Meal. The lamb shank and couscous dishes were served in individual tagines, which hides and cradles the delicious flavors inside to come bursting forth upon opening. One dining partner wouldn't deign to share his rib eye, so our Protagonist will take that as meaning it was acceptable, like the rest of the food. The staff was kind enough to make the merguez sausage couscous off of the Wednesday menu even though it was Thursday, and it was heavenly. Err, acceptable. The harissa was delightfully spicy, and the bowl would have been scraped out with a finger if not out in public. Meaning it was pretty good, average, really. I'm trying, I mean, our Protagonist is trying to pace himself here. The dining partners were amused watching every plate of food becoming dismantled as soon as it was set before him. Our Protagonist had wanted to eat here ever since reading the ridiculous dessert choices last winter; the recommendation of the strawberry napoleon surrounded by strawberry soup, AND tarragon ice cream, AND capped by the the white chocolate amaretto creme brulee...the tears well up in our Protagonist's eyes just recalling it, mourning its passing. Which means it was just ok...Oh, forget it, I can't help it! Move over, scribe! The whole meal was [expletive deleted] fantastic! Or Fantastastic like I tried to write just now. Then came the truffles and biscotti, which you bit into and thought, oh, that's nice, and then...oh...wowww...the finish was superb. When have you had biscotti that did that? Be honest, now. The presentation was lovely; the napoleon had to clearly be constructed from just above scratch when ordered, so the long wait for it to appear was easily forgiven. The wines were expertly suggested, and the choices of 3 or 6 oz glasses help you be able to switch between your favorites, or to drink on the cheap if you want. You'll spend your money worthily on the food, believe me. Would it be too soon to make reservations for tomorrow?
[The writer has thankfully been allowed to resume his duties, and apologizes for the preceding outburst. Our Protagonist promises to keep his thoughts more in check and leave the typing to those with more skill. Fantastastic, indeed!]
Mozaic
1377 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-951-6272
Friday, February 4, 2011
Americano the Fourth...
Salsiccia saltata con pomodorini e funghi
Insalate tropicale
Again with Americano! So many lunch meetings here...but at least it was our Protagonist's turn to sample the Salsiccia saltata that had perked his olfactory nerve the last time. It turned out to be very generous, more like a dinner portion, which justified its higher price than the other lunch offerings. The sausage was flat rather than in a casing, and had curled up on the edges from cooking rather like bacon (except much larger!) It was wonderfully spiced and accompanied by sauteed mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. The only disappointment was when our Protagonist would spear what he thought was a mushroom cap, only to discover it was actually a slice of potato! As heavy as this dish was, the potatoes could have been forgone altogether to make room for more mushrooms, instead. The sauce was good enough to require two pieces of bread for supping in order to not leave any behind. The dining companion had the salad with hearts of palm and avocado, but our Protagonist requires more protein to fulfill the definition of lunch. Perhaps the salad will find its way into a dinner selection the next time he (inevitably) returns. Our Protagonist left feeling very full, but high marks were given to the dish, nonetheless; it seems to be a point of consistency at the restaurant, so it is definitely recommended.
Cafe Americano
Insalate tropicale
Again with Americano! So many lunch meetings here...but at least it was our Protagonist's turn to sample the Salsiccia saltata that had perked his olfactory nerve the last time. It turned out to be very generous, more like a dinner portion, which justified its higher price than the other lunch offerings. The sausage was flat rather than in a casing, and had curled up on the edges from cooking rather like bacon (except much larger!) It was wonderfully spiced and accompanied by sauteed mushrooms and cherry tomatoes. The only disappointment was when our Protagonist would spear what he thought was a mushroom cap, only to discover it was actually a slice of potato! As heavy as this dish was, the potatoes could have been forgone altogether to make room for more mushrooms, instead. The sauce was good enough to require two pieces of bread for supping in order to not leave any behind. The dining companion had the salad with hearts of palm and avocado, but our Protagonist requires more protein to fulfill the definition of lunch. Perhaps the salad will find its way into a dinner selection the next time he (inevitably) returns. Our Protagonist left feeling very full, but high marks were given to the dish, nonetheless; it seems to be a point of consistency at the restaurant, so it is definitely recommended.
Cafe Americano
1409 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-365-1026
Sarasota, FL 34236
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